i love my engineer!!

Today I just want to say how much I love my engineer husband. He fixes everything that breaks, he knows at least a little something about everything, and my most favorite... he lines up tater tots on the cookie sheet when he makes me dinner after a long days work. I didn't measure the distance between each one to be sure, but I would bet that he spread them equally apart. :) haha that is all for my update!


ps... now after reading the "rough draft" to Gary before posting the blog he says, "there were 36, 6x6" ahhhhh hahaha

winter

I know winter isn't here yet.... fall just officially got here, but in honor of my first paycheck at my new job I bought myself a new winter coat. Living in SC, I never really had a real coat, just fleece jackets to get me through until spring. Well, now that we are in MD, I figured a REAL winter coat was definitely worth it. A trip to burlington coat factory was just what I needed. The newest addition to my wardrobe is a Calvin Klein, down coat with a fur hood. I know this sounds a little over the top, but it is soooo cute and, of course, I got a great deal. I couldn't find the original price for comparison, but I found a similar coat which cost $225. I got mine for $60!! Anyway, with this coat, I can't wait for SNOW!!

this is the "similar coat"



this is mine!!

holiday crafts

Hi All...

Today I didn't have to work so I set out for A.C. Moore to find some stuff for a new craft. I decided on a fall wreath. My friend Bree blogged about making her own wreaths a few weeks ago and I decided to join in. At first, I didn't really think I could make something that looked professional, but I think it turned out quite well. In case you want to make one of your own, here are the things you will need: (and don't worry I got everything for under $25)

1. a wreath form. they make all sorts, wooden, metal, rafia... choose what you like best. I chose wood.

2. get an assortment decorating leaves, berries, twigs, flowers, garland, etc. whatever you want you wreath to look like. I bought fake, but you could probably go outside and collect some good things too.

3. you will need wire. you can buy spools of wire or they make pre-cut wire.

4. take it all home and assemble.. easy as that. although my fingers did start to hurt.

I would take your time to try different combinations of things to see what you like best before you go and wire it all up. I hope you like how mine turned out and have some fun this fall doing crafts. They make you feel good!

until next time....

going vegetarian

Monday was the beginning of Gary's and my new life... our exercise and healthy eating life that is. Since the festivities of our wedding and honeymoon, we have kinda fallen off the healthy life bandwagon! I mean, it isn't like we eat BigMacs every day or anything, but we'd like to shape up a little. Anyway, our schedules are kinda all over, so it will be hard to work out together (we usually run together). Gary has to wake up early every weekday and so his best time to work out is in the afternoon. There is a gym at his work where he can lift weights, or he can come home to run. For me, I'm a little crazier. I only work 3 days a week, but when I get home at night it is pretty much dinner and bed... so tired. So the best workout times for me are the mornings of my days off. So complicated, I know, but all you have to know is we are going to be eating less ice-cream and more cauliflower.

Here is the recipe for our first dinner as healthy people. I just made it up, so don't think it is anything super special. Although, super easy to make. Spaghetti Squash with other vegetables is what I call it. haha

1. Preheat oven to 450F. split spaghetti squash in half length-wise drizzle with olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake in over for 30-40 min.

2. take 1/2 and onion and grate it on a cheese grater.

3. thinly slice up one zucchini and one yellow squash (any mandolins out there, perfect.... I however did not register for one.... tragic!) Feel free to sub/add any other veggies you like, eggplant, carrots, etc.

4. Add some olive oil to a saute pan (large enough for the veggies) add onion, zucchini, and yellow squash.

5. After veggies are cooked down a bit, add one can diced tomatoes, drained (reduced sodium of course) and one can tomato sauce. voila .... homemade veggie sauce.

6. Once spaghetti squash is done, remove "strands" from skin with a fork. Either add to sauce or place on plates and ladle sauce over top.

Hope you try the dinner, it actually is really good... for all veggies. Gary even likes it, although he quickly let me know he couldn't possibly live if he was only allowed to eat vegetables. We will keep you updated on our new lifestyle!

until next time....

weekend updates

I started my job in the ICU this week!! I have been waiting so long to finally have something to do during the day. Even though I have only been doing "house keeping" type things, it has been good to get out of the apartment. Next week I will be starting work on the floor, actual nursing work. I can't wait for that!

Friday was payday, so naturally Gary and I went out for dinner. We tried out a BBQ joint to see how it stands up to REAL southern BBQ. Of course most all barbeque pales in comparison to what all Chapinites know to be the real deal, Farm Boys! But it was pretty good. I had to laugh though because we dressed (accidentally) as the American Flag. haha what better outfits to wear to a BBQ restaurant?
Fall is definitely here.... in Maryland anyway. It has been great weather for the past week. Monday started out with sunny 75 degree weather and throughout the week we never got over 80. I have been riding in the car with my windows down for the whole week, true happiness. As happy as we are about the weather, it also means that winter is on the way! Being SC residents for most of our lives, we decided some sprucing up of the wardrobe would be a good idea, and so we headed out this morning for an outlet shopping center about an hour from our house. As we drove north to the outlet, we crossed over National Harbor and could see many national monuments from the road. We also noticed that there are some very nice cars living in the D.C. area. During our short trip, we saw tons of expensive and/or exotic cars: Porsche Panamera, Maserati Quattroporte, BMW 135 convertible, BMW M5, Ferrari 360, Bentley Continental, and of course my 1995 Jeep Grand Cherokee with squealing brakes!! (Car names courtesy of Gary)

At the outlets, we got lots of good things. Gary got some jeans and some long sleeve shirts, and I got some new sweaters. All super saver items of course! On the way home, we stopped at TJMaxx (my most favorite store) and we found some really cute candle lanterns!! Yes, I know, this has nothing to do with buffing up our wardrobe, but I just couldn't pass them up! :)To finish off this great day, Clemson is playing Auburn! Big game, big fun! And since it is on TV we are able to watch! And just as an update, we have finally found Gary's Harry Potter glasses he will wear for the premiere of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows part 1.

have you missed us?

Sorry I have been MIA from the blog.

This past weekend Gary and I made our first trip home to SC together. It was the perfect time seeing as it was a long holiday weekend, my little sister's 21st birthday, and our favorite football team's first game of the fall! .... Clemson won by the way!! wooo hooo woooo hooo hooo hoooo... C-L-E-M-S-O-----NNNNN!

So we surprised my sister downtown at the bars, along with my parents and older sister! We had a great time!!! And then we all went to the game on Saturday. It was the perfect season opener, nice and hot!!

We also got to see some "old" friends from school. It is so different, and slightly funny, to go to the game as an alumni.

Overall, we had such a great time in Clemson, seeing so many people who are important to us! Back in MD, we miss you all!! I know this is a short post, but Gary and I are going to be very busy the next few weeks so stick with us and watch for updates!!

until next time....